Uttar Pradesh Congress chief slams senior minister

Lucknow: Charging Rampur police and local administration with acting against a Congress leader at the behest of a powerful SP minister, UPCC chief Nirmal Khatri on Friday demanded arrest of the culprits who had attacked the party leader.

"Faisal Khan Lala has been opposing the cabinet minister in his home district following which he had been facing harassment at the hands of local police and administration and an attempt was made on his life last night," Khatri said in a statement.

Demanding immediate lodging of an FIR and arrest of the culprits, Khatri alleged that policemen attacked Lala at the behest of the minister.

"The culprits, whether they are ministers, officials or employees, they should be punished," he said. Meanwhile, Lala, who had helped a Bareilly youth get bail after his arrest for posting comments on Facebook against the UP minister, claimed that a police team led by a circle officer level officer attacked him and his factory last night.

"I have sent a letter to Governor Ram Naik regarding last night's attack and he has taken up the matter with the government," Lala said, adding he would soon be moving court for lodging an FIR on the latest incident.

Last week Lala had knocked the doors of the Raj Bhawan for security following which the Governor had sent his complaint as well as a covering letter to the Chief Minister for his security.